Slidable outer jaw wrench, having a non-traveling screw jaw-adjusting means



3,035,467 TRAVELING y 1962 R. M. PIRTLE SLIDABLE OUTER JAW WRENCH, HAVING A NON- SCREW JAW-ADJUSTING MEANS Filed June 7, 1960 3 m w: a 7 1 3 410W W W26 NM 2. 6 A m mm k M V M 7 m W m m Q a W W H INVENTOR. Robe/r2 P z/ri Z a,

H T 0 R N EYS 3,035,467 SLIDABLE OUTER JAW WRENCH, HAVING A NON-TRAVELING SCREW JAW-ADJUSTING MEANS This invention relates to a tool, and more particularly to a wrench.

The object of the invention is to provide a wrench which includes a stationary jaw and a movable jaw, and wherein there is provided a novel means for actuating the wrench so as to cause movement of the movable jaw towards and away from the stationary jaw.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wrench which includes a unique construction so that the movable jaw can be quickly and conveniently adjusted to a desired location or position, so that for example a work piece such as a pipe, nut or the like can be readily gripped or held and turned.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wrench which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufac ture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the present invention, showing the jaws separated so that the movable jaw moves to its most remote position with respect to the stationary jaw.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, but with parts broken away and in section, and showing the movable jaw adjusted or moved inwardly from the position shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral indicates the wrench of the present invention which is shown to include a body member 11 that includes a handle 12 as well as a knurled cylindrical portion 13 adjacent the handle 12, and the body member 11 further includes a shaft 14 which is of less diameter than the knurled portion 13 so that there is defined or provided a shoulder 17, FIGURE 2. The shaft 14 includes a smooth inner section 15 and an outer threaded section 16.

The numeral 18 indicates a frame, and the frame 18 embodies a tapered section 19 which is externally knurled, and the tapered section 19 is provided with a longitudinally extending bore 20 for the projection therethrough of the smooth section 15 of the shaft 14. The frame 18 further includes a stationary jaw 21 which has a flat surface 22 adjacent its inner end, FIGURE 2.

The frame 18 further includes a connecting portion 23 which is provided with an inner flat surface 24, for a purpose to be later described. The frame 18 further includes a flange 25 which is arranged transversely or at right angles with respect to an end of the connecting portion 23, and the end of the shaft 14 is swivelly or rotatably connected in or to the flange 25 as at 26, FIGURE 2.

The numeral 27 indicates a movable jaw which is mounted for movement between the flange 25 and the stationary jaw 21, and the movable jaw 27 includes flat surfaces 28, 29 and 30 for coaction With flat surfaces such as the surfaces 31, 24, and 22. Thus, due to the provision of the surfaces 28 and 31, it will be seen that as shown in FIGURE 1 the jaw 27 can move snugly 3,035,467 Patented May 22, 1962 "ice and tightly against the flange 25. Similarly, due to the provision of the flat surfaces 29 and 22, the jaw 27 can move to a position immediately adjacent or contiguous to the jaw 21. In addition, the flat surface 30 of the jaw 27 is adapted to slide against and coact with the flat inner surface 24 of the connecting portion 23 whereby the jaw 27 will be maintained in its proper position as it slides back and forth as for example when the member 11 is rotated, by gripping the portion 13 or handle 12.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a wrench which includes a novel means for actuating and mounting the movable jaw so that this jaw can be moved with utility and facility. In use, with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, when the jaw 27 is to be moved, as for example when a work piece is to be gripped between the jaws 27 and 21, the tapered section 19 can be gripped in one hand, and the handle 12 can be engaged in the other hand of the user, and then by rotating the handle 12, the shaft 14 will turn, since the handle 14 as Well as the section 13 and the handle 12 are all formed integral. This rotation of the shaft 14 will cause the jaw 27 to move since the jaw 27 threadedly engages the threaded section 16 of the shaft 14. By rotating the handle 12 in one direction the jaw 27 can be moved away from the jaw 21, while by rotating the handle in the opposite direction, the jaw 27 can be moved towards the jaw 21. In other words, by a proper manual rotation or manipulation of the handle, the jaw 27 can be either moved towards or away from the jaw 21 as desired.

The flange 25 serves a dual purpose. Namely, the end of the shaft 14 is swively connected as at 26 to the flange 25. In addition the flange 25 functions as a stop member so as to limit outward movement of the jaw 27 away from the jaw 21. The inner end of the jaw 27 is flat as indicated by the numeral 30 and this flat surface 30 is adapted to slide along the inner flat surface 24 of the connecting portion 23 so as to insure that the jaw 27 will remain in its proper position regardless of where it is adjusted to. In addition, the flat surfaces 28 and 31, and the fiat surfaces 29 and 22 insure that there will be a snug abutment or engagement between the jaw 27 and the flange 25 or between the jaws 27 and 21.

The section 19 is knurled and is tapered so as to help insure that the hand will not accidently slip therefrom. Thus, due to the provision of the tapered section 19, a wedging action takes place between the users hand and the section 19 whereby a better gripping action is assured. Also, due to the provision of the adjacent sections 19 and 13, if desired the tool can be operated with one hand as for example when the other hand is being used for various purposes in connection with the handling of the work or the like.

The parts may be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes.

The principles of the present invention are applicable to various types of wrenches such as pipe and nut wrenches. With the present invention an easy adjustment is permitted or possible since the adjustments are made from the handle. The shaft 14 is continuous and extends from one end of the wrench to the other and passes through the stationary jaw.

The movable jaw can be moved or positioned at any desired location between the stationary jaw and the flange 25 as desired.

The wrench of the present invention may be initially assembled by adjusting the shaft 14 so that the end thereof is flush with the surface 22, and then the jaw 27 is adapted to be positioned in its proper place. Next, the shaft 14 is properly rotated so that the shaft extends 3 through the jaw 27, and the shaft 14 is continued to be rotated until it engages the flange 25, whereby the end of the shaft 14 may be peened or swedged in place. After the wrench is once assembled, it is not subsequently taken apart or disassembled.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice if desired.

What is claimed is:

1. In a Wrench, a body member including a handle, a knurled cylindrical portion integral with and adjacent said handle, said body member further including a shaft which is of less diameter than said knurled portion, said shaft including an inner smooth section and an outer threaded section; a frame embodying a tapered section that is externally knurled and said tapered section is provided with a longitudinally extending bore for the projection therethrough of the smooth section of said shaft, said frame further including a stationary jaw, a connecting portion, and a flange arranged transversely with respect to said connecting portion, the outer end of said shaft being swivelly connected to said flange, and a jaw movably mounted between said flange and said stationary jaw and said movable jaw threadedly engaging the threaded section of said shaft.

2. In a wrench, a body member including a handle, a knurled cylindrical portion adjacent said handle, said body member further including a shaft which is of less diameter than said knurled portion whereby there is defined a shoulder at the junction of the shaft and knurled portion, said shaft including an inner smooth section and an outer threaded section; a frame embodying a tapered section that is externally knurled and said tapered section being provided with a longitudinally extending bore for the projection therethrough of the smooth section of said shaft, said frame further including a stationary jaw, a connecting portion, and said frame further including a flange that is arranged transversely with respect to said connecting portion, the outer end of said shaft being swivelly connected to said flange, and a jaw movably mounted between said flange and said stationary jaw and said movable jaw threadedly engaging the threaded section of said shaft, said stationary jaw, flange, and connecting portion including inner flat surfaces, and flat surfaces on said movable jaw for coaction With said last named flat surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 475,450 Hussey May 24, 1892 937,966 Shaffer Oct. 26, 1909 968,689 Reusch Aug. 30, 1910 1,411,135 Thompson Mar. 28, 1922 1,500,795 Bramhorst July 8, 1924 

